Can spouse use the standard deduction under the Married Filing Separate status if the taxpayer also uses the standard deduction? Neither itemize deductions.

[dvieyra7]

Neither have itemized deductions. So will the taxpayer and spouse use the $12,000 standard deduction for married filing separate? 

[Just-Lisa-Now- · Accepted solution]

They either both itemize or both take standard.

[PhoebeRoberts]

Technically, if one of them itemizes the other has a standard deduction of zero. But the result is the same. 🙂

[dvieyra7]

What is neither the spouse or taxpayer itemizes? Would they both use the standard deduction on their separate returns? Taxpayer standard deduction of $12k. Spouse standard deduction of $12k.

[PhoebeRoberts]

Yeah, why wouldn't they?

[Just-Lisa-Now-]

again  They either both itemize or both take standard.

[dvieyra7]

Lisa just saw your first post. Thank you both!